The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come (20)

'As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept I dreamed a dream.' So began 'The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come; Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream', written by John Bunyan. First published in 1678, this great allegory, is considered by some, second only to the Bible in published literature.' Many illustrations of Bunyan's own Christian pilgrimage are used in this book, and Pastor Chris Hand, in a series of children's talks, takes us, with Pilgrim, on his journey from the City of Destruction to the object of his pilgrimage, arrival at the Celestial City.

.............. Having passed over The Enchanted Ground, and resisting the temptation to rest awhile, our pilgrims press on. Along the way they meet Mr. Ignorance once more. Christian and Hopeful begin to ask him what he really believes. It becomes clear that he is relying on his feelings, not what God has said. He doesn't think that he is a sinner, and is not happy at the suggestion that he is in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. Such a reaction suggests that he didn't really know God at all. Also, we must not go backwards, and stop reading the Bible, or praying, as that will not be helpful to our own journey towards heaven .. The Celestial City. Further on the way Christian and Hopeful meet Mr. Temporary, the lesson here is that we need to have faith that is not just for a short time, but is lasting and permanent, and that stays to the end.